A 15th minute close range bundled in header from Che Stadhart was enough to secure the three points for Harlow at Rookery Hill this afternoon.
There will no doubt be a period of adjustment for Grays and the blustery conditions didn’t help the team in settling down in the Ryman Div One North.
Stadhart scored after a free kick was sent over by Mark Taylor. Before that Grays in front of a healthy crowd (306) looked comfortable. Indeed for the whole game they looked comfortable and had a quality to their passing game.
Simon Thomas looked imperious up front. But this is the league where winning ugly is king and Grays may need a little more journeyman steel if they are to succeed in this league.
Grays found it hard to judge the ball with the wind behind them and hard to break down the five man Hawks midfield in the second.
Grays nearly equalised soon after the break but Hawks keeper Hasell did well to tip over Barry’s shot.
Fontaine’s shot in the 75th went wide while Eljay Worrell’s point blank shot lack power.
Duran Reynolds just failed to connect with a corner in the 85th minute .
Clark Akers saw red in the dying minutes for a second bookable offence.
Att 306
